Arlington House Camden

Andrew Slaughter: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government how many bed spaces Arlington House in Camden had  (a) beforeand  (b) after its modernisation under the hostels capital improvement programme; and what alternative arrangements were made for individuals displaced from Arlington House.

Yvette Cooper: Before its redevelopment Arlington House provided 399 beds. Following the hostels capital improvement programme (HCIP) investment this number has been reduced to 130. This has been agreed with the local authority in order to create more non-accommodation space where training, other support activities can take place, and to move homeless people out of long-term large institutional provision.
	Novas who own and run Arlington House worked in close partnership with the Camden council to ensure that every client was resettled appropriately.

Green Belt: Gloucestershire

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what proposals are contained in the South West Regional Spatial Strategy to change the status of green belt land in Gloucestershire; how much land is involved; which sites are specifically mentioned; and if she will make a statement.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 11 June 2007
	The draft regional spatial strategy does not contain site specific proposals. It will be for the local planning authorities to identify specific site allocations sites in their local development documents to accommodate the housing provision in the final RSS. However, the draft RSS identifies two broad 'Areas of Search' for sustainable urban extensions, to the north of Gloucester and to the north west of Cheltenham. Both 'Areas of Search' extend into the neighbouring Tewkesbury district and both would require changes to be made to the general extent of the green belt. The draft RSS also indicates possible additions, as well as deletions, to the general extent of the green belt.
	The draft RSS is currently at Examination in Public before an independent Panel. The Panel is expectedto submit its report, with recommendations, to Government later this year. The Government will then consider that report and their response to it. It would not, therefore, be appropriate to make a statement at this time.

Green Belt: East Sussex

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Communities and Local Government what Government policy is on building on the green belt in  (a) Eastbourne and  (b) East Sussex.

Yvette Cooper: There is no designated green belt in Eastbourne or in East Sussex.

Home Information Packs

Oliver Letwin: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  how many advertisements placed on behalf of her Department in relation to home improvement packs have been cancelled;
	(2)  how many advertisements have been placedon behalf of her Department in relation to home improvement packs.

Yvette Cooper: Between April 2006 and May 2007 the Department placed a total of 852 advertisements in the press and relevant magazines—of these, a total of 538 were in magazines or newspapers published before the announcement on 22 May.
	299 advertisements have now been re-scheduled and will be used to promote the phased introduction of home information packs on 1 August.
	15 adverts went to print before the announcement was made but are in publications appearing after22 May. It would be irresponsible for the Government not to inform people about this important change to the way homes are bought and sold. It is vital consumer information.

Homelessness

Hugo Swire: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what estimate she has made of the number of homeless people, broken down by constituency.

Yvette Cooper: Information about local authorities' actions under homelessness legislation is collected quarterly at local authority level, in respect of households rather than people.
	Information reported each quarter by local authorities about their activities under homelessness legislation includes the number of households accepted by local authorities as eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless and in priority need, and therefore owed a main homelessness duty. The duty owed to an accepted household is to secure suitable accommodation. If a settled home is not immediately available, the authority may secure temporary accommodation until a settled home becomes available.
	This data is published in our quarterly statistical release on statutory homelessness, which includes a supplementary table showing the breakdown ofkey data, including acceptances and temporary accommodation, by each local authority. This is published on our website and placed in the Library each quarter. The latest release was published on11 June 2007 and contains data for the period January to March 2007:
	http://www.communities.gov.uk/index.asp?id=1002882&PressNoticeID=2438
	Since 1998, information has also been collected on the number of people who sleep rough—that is, those who are literally roofless on a single night—and these are also published on our website, by local authority.
	Summary tables showing the total number of households (a) accepted under homelessness provisions and (b) in temporary accommodation, from 1997-98 to 2006-07, and (c) rough sleeper estimates from 1998 onwards, for each local authority are provided with this answer and have been placed in the Library.

Homelessness

Karen Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government 
	(1)  what proportion of all lettings in  (a) each London local authority and  (b) across all local authorities were let to homeless households in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what proportion of all registered social landlord lettings, excluding sheltered and supported housing, were let to homeless households in  (a) each London local authority and  (b) in England in each of the last five years.

Yvette Cooper: The main sources of data on total lettings and lettings to homeless households are:
	1. COntinuous REcording (CORE) data on general needs lets by Registered Social Landlords (RSLs)
	2. Annual Housing Strategy Statistical Appendix (HSSA) data collected by local authorities
	The proportions of all RSL lettings (excluding sheltered and supported housing) to statutorily homeless households in each London borough for the past five years are provided in the following tables.
	A household is found to be statutorily homelessby a local authority if it is eligible for assistance, unintentionally homeless (or threatened with homelessness) and in priority need. The main duty owed to households accepted as being statutory homeless is to secure suitable accommodation.
	
		
			  (i) Proportion of all registered social landlords lettings (excluding supported and sheltered housing) let to statutorily homeless households by London borough 
			  Percentage 
			   2001-02  2002-03  2003-04  2004-05  2005-06 
			 Barking and Dagenham 3 4 3 5 2 
			 Barnet 19 21 16 14 12 
			 Bexley 27 25 22 23 17 
			 Brent 24 33 30 29 24 
			 Bromley 34 43 38 44 47 
			 Camden 12 10 16 14 15 
			 City of London 8 11 0 0 0 
			 Croydon 22 28 28 27 36 
			 Ealing 22 27 16 18 17 
			 Enfield 20 31 17 19 22 
			 Greenwich 9 7 7 7 8 
			 Hackney 19 20 17 24 26 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 22 23 24 25 19 
			 Haringey 35 32 30 17 20 
			 Harrow 39 26 28 12 26 
			 Havering 7 4 5 17 2 
			 Hillingdon 39 34 21 25 34 
			 Hounslow 24 27 26 30 23 
			 Islington 21 23 23 10 13 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 28 26 33 24 18 
			 Kingston upon Thames 25 38 21 31 32 
			 Lambeth 31 23 30 21 20 
			 Lewisham 17 19 14 19 26 
			 Merton 13 15 14 26 31 
			 Newham 14 18 12 10 11 
			 Redbridge 17 14 20 10 8 
			 Richmond upon Thames 32 35 38 47 50 
			 Southwark 25 18 20 15 14 
			 Sutton 16 20 8 13 21 
			 Tower Hamlets 19 17 18 23 23 
			 Waltham Forest 28 25 22 16 15 
			 Wandsworth 14 19 17 21 22 
			 Westminster 26 22 27 18 24 
			 London average 23 24 22 22 23 
			 England 12 13 14 15 17 
			  Source: RSL CORE data 
		
	
	The proportions of all local authority lettings to statutorily homeless households in each London borough for the past five years are provided in the following table. These figures include sheltered and supported housing.
	
		
			  (i) Proportion of all local authority lettings (not excluding sheltered housing) let to statutorily homeless households: By London borough 2005-06 
			  Percentage 
			   2002  2003  2004  2005  2006 
			 Barking and Dagenham 0 4 21 32 4 
			 Barnet 42 36 33 26 21 
			 Bexley n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Brent 63 52 46 41 53 
			 Bromley n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Camden 33 46 35 36 36 
			 City of London 2 12 5 9 7 
			 Croydon 16 7 15 16 12 
			 Ealing 45 47 52 36 42 
			 Enfield 46 46 44 38 38 
			 Greenwich 35 33 37 34 30 
			 Hackney 36 44 46 44 40 
			 Hammersmith and Fulham 37 37 35 32 23 
			 Haringey 34 32 37 40 44 
			 Harrow 36 34 35 31 28 
			 Havering 10 0 0 26 8 
			 Hillingdon 24 43 39 29 24 
			 Hounslow 43 33 46 54 41 
			 Islington 49 51 53 45 34 
			 Kensington and Chelsea 25 34 30 37 41 
			 Kingston upon Thames 51 51 47 45 39 
			 Lambeth 38 46 56 58 66 
			 Lewisham 30 35 37 42 21 
			 Merton 19 20 24 29 27 
			 Newham 33 20 13 12 16 
			 Redbridge 29 35 27 17 18 
			 Richmond upon Thames n/a n/a n/a n/a n/a 
			 Southwark 59 54 49 46 36 
			 Sutton 37 26 8 15 20 
			 Tower Hamlets 27 27 32 25 57 
			 Waltham Forest 58 56 41 33 38 
			 Wandsworth 33 37 35 34 37 
			 Westminster 53 44 53 47 47 
			 London average 35 35 36 35 32 
			 England 16 19 23 24 22 
			  Source: HSSA

Housing: Construction

Jacqui Lait: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government pursuant to the answer of 21 May 2007, O fficial Report, columns 1101-02W, on housing: construction, what plans she has to introduce penalties for failure to comply with a completion notice.

Yvette Cooper: We have no plans to introduce penalties for failure to comply with a completion notice. Completion notices are rare, but effective in most cases. If a completion notice is ignored, the relevant planning permission ceases to be valid, except insofar as it authorises the development already carried out. Any further development carried out after the period specified in the completion notice is over may be liable to enforcement action.
	It would be impracticable to give the local planning authority power to compel the completion of a development once started, for example where the developer lacked the finance to complete the work.
	However, a local planning authority may compel the removal of any partially erected buildings by making a discontinuance order under section 102 of the Town and Country Planning Act 1990. If an order, confirmed by the Secretary of State, is not complied with, the authority can enforce it in accordancewith sections 189 and 190 of the Act. Where a discontinuance order has not been complied with, section 190 of the 1990 Act enables the local planning authority to take the steps required under the order (such as removal of buildings, works or any plant or machinery, or steps to protect the environment), and to recover any expenses reasonably incurred by them in doing so from the owner of the land.

Housing: Low Incomes

Maria Miller: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what the total cost has been to run the Design for Manufacture competition since its inception; and how many of the resulting houses she expects to be sold for £60,000.

Yvette Cooper: holding answer 19 March 2007
	English Partnerships are running the Design for Manufacture competition on behalf of the Department for Communities and Local Government. All English Partnerships' costs are expected to be balanced out by receipts of more than £50 million from the sale of the land. This exceeds the reserve price across this portfolio of sites by more than £3 million.
	The competition involved additional costs compared to ordinary site disposals. These costs are for specialist technical advice to ensure the quality of these innovative homes (£470,000), for monitoring and evaluation to learn lessons from the construction phase (£70,000) and for research and information (£136,400). This latter category includes holding a public exhibition attended by over 5,000 people and circulating some 30,000 copies of the document setting out the lessons learnt so far from the competition.
	Part of the competition involved a target construction cost of £60,000 for a high-quality 76.5 sq metre home, with larger and smaller homes being built at a similar cost-efficiency. The competition is creating 10 new mixed communities developments with homes of different sizes and tenures to suit families andsingle people. Overall, 50 per cent. of the homesbeing provided will be affordable, including shared ownership/equity, social housing, low cost home ownership and other supported housing such as for the elderly.
	I refer the hon. Member to the answer givento the hon. Member for North-East Milton Keynes (Mr. Lancaster) on 6 March 2007,  Official Report, column 1890W, which set out precise details of one of the sites in the competition.
	The other nine sites are at different stages of construction and are spread around the country. The prices of the units for sale will reflect the land value, the local market at the time they go on sale and the equity share as well as the construction cost. In total only about half the homes will be for sale at full market price.
	Based on current sales prices we anticipate that on every site where homes are being sold, there will be homes available at shared ownership or shared equity stakes of between £60,000 and £70,000. The exception is on the Hastings site where all the homes will be for affordable rent.

Housing: Northamptonshire

Peter Bone: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government if she willvisit Wellingborough and Kettering to discuss future housing and infrastructure developments with members of local communities.

Angela Smith: holding answer  12 June 2007
	The Secretary of State has no plans at present to visit Wellingborough and Kettering.
	However, my noble Friend, Baroness Andrews, chairs the Milton Keynes South Midlands Inter-Regional Board which gives the opportunity for discussions relating to sustainable housing and infrastructure developments on an on-going basis. The community is represented at these meeting by members from local authorities across the Milton Keynes and south midlands area.

Infrastructure

Dai Davies: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what plans she has to extend consultation on the draft national policy statements for infrastructural planning proposals in England to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland where there is a potential impact on those areas arising from the proposals.

Yvette Cooper: Chapter 10 of the white paper "Planning for a Sustainable Future" (Cm 7120) sets out our proposals in relation to Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
	The Government intends that any national policy statements for air transport and for energy would be developed for the whole of Great Britain or the UK as appropriate. These policies would be developed with the full involvement of the devolved administrations and the consultation proposed in Chapter 3 of the white paper would encompass the whole of Great Britain or the UK. Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland Ministers would be statutory consultees in the development of relevant national policy statements.

Prisons: Planning Permission

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government what planning guidelines apply to the expansion of prisons; and in what circumstances they have permitted development rights.

Ruth Kelly: Local planning authorities have been encouraged to make adequate provision for new prison developments through the planning system by means of DETR Circular 03/98 "Planning for Future Prison Development". For extensions to existing prisons, the National Offender Management Service (NOMS) has access to the permitted development rights in Part 34 (Development by the Crown) of Schedule 2 to the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) Order 1995 (SI 1995 No 418 as amended). The main restrictions to the permitted development right are that any extensions may not exceed 25 per cent. of the cubic content or 1,000 square metres of the floor area of the existing building (reducing to 10 per cent. of the cubic content or500 square metres of the floor area in certain sensitive landscape areas and conservation areas). NOMS may also use other general permitted development rights for minor works.

Cultural Heritage: Ownership

Edward Vaizey: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what her Department's policy is on whether cultural objects seized from  (a) Germany and  (b) other countries after the second world war by the Soviet Union are Russian property following the passing of the 1998 Federal Law on Cultural Valuables Displaced to the USSR by the Russian Parliament.

David Lammy: The effect of the Federal Law on Cultural Valuables Displaced to the USSR 1998 on the ownership of cultural objects situated in Russia is a question of Russian law, whether the objects in question come from Germany or other countries. It is not a matter of departmental policy. If an issue was raised in relation to the applicable law of a foreign country in legal proceedings in this country, it would be regarded as a question of fact, to be determined bythe judge with the assistance of appropriate expert evidence.

Digital Broadcasting: BBC

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport how much the BBC has spent on producing and broadcasting televisual content for digital transmission.

Shaun Woodward: This is a matter for the BBC. I have therefore asked the BBC's Director of Finance to consider the question raised by the hon. Member and to write to him direct. Copies of the reply will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

Digital Broadcasting: Copeland

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Culture, Media and Sport what assistance her Department has provided to residents of rural areas in Copeland in advance of digital switchover in October.

Shaun Woodward: According to the Digital UK/Ofcom Q1 2007 Tracker, awareness across the UK is higher in rural areas than in urban areas (88 per cent. in rural areas compared to 81 per cent. in urban areas). All households in the Copeland area will receive a doordrop in the next month as part of the ongoing communications campaign to drive up awareness in the final three months before switchover.
	Digital UK run drop-in sessions in places throughout Copeland including the rural areas of Moor Row, Seascale, Parton and Eskdale.

Digital Broadcasting: Copeland

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Culture, Media and Sport what assistance her Department has provided to  (a) schools,  (b) hospitals and  (c) other public facilities in Copeland in preparation for digital switchover in October.

Shaun Woodward: Digital UK have prepared a teaching pack for primary schools which 92 per cent. of schools in Copeland have agreed to use.
	Digital UK and the relevant central Government Departments have also been proactively contacting local service providers, including West Cumberland hospital, to ensure they are aware of the need to prepare for switchover.
	A number of other public facilities are used by Digital UK to convey communication material including local libraries, churches, the local newspaper  Whitehaven News, social and community groups, West Cumbria Older People's Forum, Copeland Disability Forum and the Women's Institute.

Digital Broadcasting: Copeland

Jamie Reed: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps her Department is taking to ensure that the elderly population of Copeland is  (a) aware of the need to make their televisions digitally compatible,  (b) assisted to undertake this exercise and  (c) protected from unfair practices by digital television retailers and installers of related equipment; and if she will make a statement.

Shaun Woodward: holding answer 14 June 2007
	The Digital UK/Ofcom Tracker data for Q1 2007 shows that 97 per cent. of people in Copeland are aware of switchover. The indicative awareness figure for those aged 55 plus in Copeland is 98 per cent. compared to 92 per cent. of 16-34 year olds. In addition to working with major charities assisting elderly people such as Age Concern, Digital UK is communicating directly with elderly residents in the area.
	All households in the area, including older people, have received the Border leaflet, a letter about the switchover, and will receive a leaflet three monthsout with detailed information on how to switch. Households will also receive a reminder one month prior to switchover. Captions are appearing on TV screens to remind people of the date of switchover.
	Developed by the DTI and promoted by Digital UK, the 'digital tick' logo is used by all major electrical retailers and manufacturers to mark digital television equipment (TVs, set-top boxes and recorders). Retailers will be the first port of call for many consumers. Digital UK has developed a Switchover Training scheme for retail staff, which is being used by thousands of staff nationwide. Trained staff can be identified by badges carrying the 'digital tick' logo. All four retailers in the area have agreed to train all their staff in the next one-two months.
	In order to contact those eligible for the Help scheme, all households and care homes were sent a Help scheme letter, leaflet and a form informing them about the Help scheme.
	Digital UK recently held a seminar with senior representatives from Trading Standards, police, the Home Office, key charities and others in the consumer protection sector to give a thorough airing to consumer protection issues and to progress effective practicesand protocols to counter sharp practice such asrogue trading, distraction burglary and scams. Further seminars are arranged for this summer and in the meantime a number of protection initiatives areunder way.

Digital Broadcasting: Government Assistance

Don Foster: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what percentage of UK households eligible for assistance in switching over to digital television will be required to pay to access assistance; what type of assistance will be available to each group; and what charges will be made to those eligible.

Shaun Woodward: holding answer 14 June 2007
	Of the UK households eligible for assistance from the Digital Switchover Help scheme, we estimate that55 per cent. will be required to pay for it. This help will comprise the provision of the appropriate equipment to convert one TV set and, where necessary, the relevant help to install and use such equipment and an aerial installation. The level of charge will be £40.

Armed Forces Compensation Scheme

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what proportion of  (a) war pensions and  (b) Armed Forces Compensation Scheme claims were settled by the Veterans Agency within 50 working days in each year since 2001.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 4 June 2007
	The information requested for the War Pensions Scheme (WPS) is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
	The Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS) was only introduced in April 2005, consequently information is only held from that date. From 1 April 2005 to 31 March 2006, 89.9 per cent. of caseswere cleared within 50 days. For the period1 April 2006 to 31 March 2007, 87.3 per cent. of cases were cleared within 50 days.
	The WPS Key target for 2006-07; to reduce the average time it takes to issue decisions on claims to war pensions to no more than 53 working days, was exceeded with an achievement of 49 working days. The AFCS key target for 2006-07; to issue decisions on AFCS claims in average of no more than 35 working days; was exceeded with an achievement of 34 working days.

Armed Forces: Housing

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence what percentage of family accommodation at Pirbright barracks is  (a) currently unoccupied and  (b) unfit for occupation.

Derek Twigg: 21 per cent. of Service Families Accommodation (SFA) at Pirbright (105 properties) are currently unoccupied, of which 67 properties(13 per cent. of the total SFA stock at Pirbright) are unavailable for occupation.
	The 67 properties include those under offer to or accepted by a service family; is awaiting return to Annington Homes Ltd in accordance with the 1996 Sale Agreement; is awaiting maintenance or upgrade work; or is held pending a future deployment of service personnel into the area.

Armed Forces: Medical Examinations

Mark Harper: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how many personnel staff the Medical Assessment Programme for  (a) mental and  (b) physical health; and what increases are planned in each area.

Derek Twigg: holding answer 14 June 2007
	Since 2005, two members of staff have been working atthe Medical Assessment Programme (MAP). Dr. Ian Palmer has been working one day a week at the MAP for nearly a year in addition to duties within the NHS. He will now be employed at the MAP on a full-time basis to see patients referred for mental or general health assessments. Dr. Palmer is a general practitioner and a consultant psychiatrist with a military background. He is supported in his role by his full-time secretary. We will monitor carefully the number of referrals and increase the staff resources, if required.

Armed Forces: Winter Sports

Kevan Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence pursuant to the answer of 22 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1182W, on armed forces: winter sports, how much public money was spent on the Army Ski Championship 2007; which commercial sponsors the event had; how the Chief of the General Staff travelled to the event; what the cost was of that travel; which senior officers attended the event; and how those senior officers travelled to the event.

Derek Twigg: The public contribution to the running of the 2007 Army Ski Championships amountedto £22,000, which paid for the transportation of equipment. The commercial sponsors for the event were Norwich Union and BAE Systems. Land Rover loaned three vehicles free of charge for use by the Army Skiing Championships during the event. Mitsubishi Motors also loaned a vehicle free of charge for use to the Chairman of the Army Winter Sports Association (AWSA) for the duration of the Championships. The championships were held in Chantmerle in South East France.
	The Chief of the General Staff, accompanied by his Aide de Camp, flew from the UK to Germany and was driven from there to the championships, subsequently returning by air from Turin to the UK. The total cost for air travel was £1,705.60. CGS' driver travelled separately, driving one of the Land Rovers, incurring costs of £145 for the Eurotunnel crossing and approximately £375 on fuel. Hotel costs for the party amounted to £935.65.
	Senior officers have been taken to mean those of the rank of Brigadier and above. In addition to Chief of the General Staff, nine such officers attended andthese individuals are listed. All travelled by air unless otherwise stated.
	Assistant Chief of the General Staff (designate), travelled at his own cost; General Officer Commanding, United Kingdom Support Command (Germany), accompanied by his Aide de Camp and driver, attending in his capacity as Chairman of the AWSA, travelled in a sponsored vehicle provided for the event at no public cost;
	Director Royal Artillery;
	Director Infantry;
	Director Army Aviation; Director Royal Logistics Corps;
	Director Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (Army);
	Director Development, Concept and Doctrine Centre Land; travelled to/from the championships by car from Germany, subsequently returning by air to the UK);
	Chief G7 Allied Rapid Reaction Corps, attending in his capacity as Chairman of Army Alpine Skiing, travelled to/from the championships by car from Germany.

Departments: Renewable Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence how much energy in kilowatt hours was purchased by his Department from renewable sources in the most recent year for which figures are available.

Derek Twigg: The Ministry of Defence purchased some 133 GWh of electricity from renewable energy sources in financial year 2005-06. This amount represents 6 per cent. of the Department's total electricity consumption for the year in questionand is reported in the Sustainable Development Commission's Sustainable Development in Government Report 2006.
	A copy of the report is available in the Library of the House.

Private Education: GCE A-level

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what proportion of grade A A-levels in  (a) mathematics,  (b) physics,  (c) chemistry,  (d) English,  (e) French and  (f) German awarded in England were awarded to pupils at fee-paying independent schools in each of the last three years.

Jim Knight: The proportion of A-level A grades awarded to students(1) at independent fee paying schools for the subjects requested are in the following table.
	(1) Students aged 16-18 at the start of the academic year(i.e. 31 August).
	
		
			  Percentage 
			   2003/04  2004/05  2005/06 
			 Mathematics(1) 37 37 36 
			 Physics 39 37 38 
			 Chemistry 40 39 37 
			 English 28 26 24 
			 French 46 46 44 
			 German 47 44 44 
			 (1)( )Includes further mathematics.

Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Board

Nick Gibb: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what external interests have been declared by each member of the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority Board.

Jim Knight: Each member of the Qualificationsand Curriculum Authority (QCA) Board completes a register of interests. This is available from QCA.

Schools: Complaints

David Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Skills what monitoring procedures are in place to ensure that his Department's guidance on school complaints procedures, LEA/01/0180/2003, is adhered to by schools and governing bodies.

Jim Knight: All governing bodies must establish and publicise a complaints procedure for the school. The extent to which the governing body has complied with this duty is part of the school's self evaluation process which underpins the current Ofsted inspection regime. At least once every three years Ofsted inspectors seek to validate the school's evaluation of its strengthsand weaknesses through inspection. No separate monitoring procedures are in place to ensure schools comply with the Department's guidance on schools complaints procedures.

Agriculture: Subsidies

Martin Salter: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many single farm payments have been reduced as a result of failures to meet good agricultural and environmental conditions required by cross-compliance; and how many of these failures relate to agricultural practices that place drinking water, rivers, and wetlands at risk of pollution.

Barry Gardiner: Under the 2006 Single Payment Scheme year, there were 54 payments reduced as a result of claimants failing to demonstrate that they were keeping their land in good agricultural and environmental condition. None of these failures were related to agricultural practices that led to any risk of pollution. However there were four non-compliances found which could have lead to a pollution risk and these claimants received warning letters.
	There were 106 payments reduced as a resultof claimants failing to adhere to the Statutory Management Requirements concerning Groundwater and Nitrate Vulnerable Zones. A further six such non-compliances found merited warning letters for the claimants concerned.

Bovine Tuberculosis

Andrew Stunell: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs pursuantto the answer of 21 May 2007,  Official Report,column 1033W, on bovine tuberculosis (TB), what recommendations he received on bovine TB and badger culling at those meetings; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: A range of views and suggestions on bovine TB and badger culling, among other issues, were discussed with Ministers and officials at meetings with interested parties in August 2006.

Bovine Tuberculosis: Disease Control

Liam Fox: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what estimate he has made of the level of  (a) false positives and  (b) false negatives resulting from tuberculosis testing of the UK cattle population.

Ben Bradshaw: It is not possible to establish such data other than as part of a research programme where all animals are slaughtered and the disease status of each animal can be irrefutably established. No such technique is available but immunological tests are considered the best indicator of infected status.
	There are two immunologically based diagnostic tests used in the Great Britain (GB) bovine tuberculosis (bTB) testing programme. The primary screening test for bTB in cattle in the UK (and Ireland) is the single intradermal comparative cervical tuberculin (SICCT) test, which is commonly known as the tuberculin "skin test". In October 2006, the Government extended the use of the gamma interferon (g-IFN) diagnostic blood test, alongside the skin test (as permitted by EU legislation), in certain prescribed circumstances.
	Research shows that when the skin test is applied to cattle in bTB-free herds in GB there is a one in 1,000 chance that a non-infected animal will be wrongly classified as a reactor. This is known as the test's false positive rate. An alternative way of defining this is to say that the skin test has a specificity of 99.9 per cent. Although the probability of getting at least one false positive result increases with the size of the herd being tested, it would be extremely rare to find more than one false positive in any herd. The skin test is designed to detect an immune response at a relatively early stage in the infection process. Therefore, the percentage of test reactors without visible tuberculous lesions is not an indicator of the false positive rate for this test.
	Various studies have shown that the sensitivity of the skin test (i.e. its ability to identify infected animals as positives) varies between 77 per cent. and 95 per cent., i.e. it can be expected to miss about one or two inevery 10 infected cattle on a single round of testing (10-20 per cent. false negative rate).
	For all diagnostic tests there is a trade off between sensitivity and specificity, so different interpretations of the test can be used under different disease situations. Sensitivity is enhanced in herds with post-mortem or culture-confirmed infection by application of severe interpretation.
	With regard to the g-IFN blood test, performance evaluation carried out in a number of countries shows that at the laboratory cut offs used in GB, it has a sensitivity comparable to or marginally better than that of the SICCT (between 73 and 100 per cent., with a median value of about 87 per cent.). Because the two tests detect slightly different sub-groups of infected cattle, by combining the two tests a higher overall sensitivity can be achieved. A trial in GB, established to evaluate the specificity of the blood test, confirmed the findings of previous studies by concluding that the commercially available blood test had a specificity of between 95-97 per cent. (i.e. there is a likelihood that slightly more false positive reactors are identified when the gamma test is applied, as opposed to the skin test). It is for these reasons that the g-IFN blood test cannot be used for routine surveillance and is best used in parallel in infected herds to maximise the detection of infected animals.

Carbon Emissions

John Redwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what steps the Government have taken to date to try to reach the UK target of a 20 per cent. reduction in carbon emissions by 2010 compared with 1990; and what further steps it intends to take.

Ian Pearson: The UK Climate Change programme, revised in 2006, sets out the Government's policies and measures to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions up to 2010. The target to reduce emissions to 20 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010 was always designed to be stretching and as we have acknowledged, it looks increasingly difficult to achieve.
	Our latest projections, published in the recent Energy White Paper, suggest that our CO2 emissions, including the impact of the EU Emissions Trading scheme, could fall to about 16 per cent. below 1990 levels by 2010. This would represent definite progress towards the domestic target. It would also mean that we had reduced our emissions of the basket of greenhouse gases to more than 23 per cent. below base year levels, a percentage reduction almost double what we are required to achieve under the Kyoto protocol.
	However, it does show why we need to do much more to reduce emissions. The long-term framework thatthe Climate Change Bill will provide, and the new measures announced in the Energy White Paper, which will further reduce emissions up to 2020, are therefore essential.
	If every household, business and community took measures to reduce their CO2 emissions by reducing energy used in the home and in buildings, and by changing how journeys are made, we could stillmake further progress towards our 2010 target. The Government are continuing to encourage and enable those choices and changes in behaviour through initiatives such as the "Act on CO2" campaign, and by funding the work of the Carbon Trust and Energy Saving Trust.

Departments: Manpower

Oliver Heald: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many staff funded by the public purse in his Department are classified as people without posts.

Barry Gardiner: People without posts are requiredto join DEFRA's Priority Movers List. There are currently 136 staff on the Priority Movers List. Staff on the Priority Movers List have access to vacancies within DEFRA before they are advertised more widely and management support is given to staff without posts in order to maximise redeployment opportunities. Staff are engaged on short-term projects within the Department while looking for permanent positions.

Departments: Recruitment

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how much his Department and its agencies paid to recruitment consultants in each year since 1997.

Barry Gardiner: DEFRA came into being in June 2001. From information held centrally, the amount (including VAT) paid by core DEFRA in each financial year commencing with 2002-03, when information was first available, is shown in the following table.
	
		
			   £ 
			 2002-03 684,795.34 
			 2003-04 1,106,361.08 
			 2004-05 447,712.00 
			 2005-06 999,207.53 
			 2006-07 1,418,359.43 
		
	
	Expenditure by DEFRA's Executive agencies isnot held centrally and can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.
	DEFRA's use of recruitment agencies is limited to recruiting specialist and senior posts requiring specialist skills which are not readily available internally and therefore requires recruitment of the right talent and experience from outside of the organisation.

Fisheries

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many foreign-registered vessels have pair trawled within the UK's 12 mile limit in each month since the ban on British pair trawlers inside the 12 mile limit was implemented.

Ben Bradshaw: Information on the total numberof foreign vessels that have pair trawled within the UK 12 mile limit in this period is not available, since their countries of registration are not required to submit this information to us and it is not possible for our own enforcement authorities to inspect all such vessels at all times.
	However, the number of pairs of foreign vessels which have been confirmed from our own inspections at sea and other sightings as engaging in pair trawling within the UK 12 mile limit is set out in the following table. This includes the proportion of pairs of foreign vessels which were observed in ICES area VIIe, within which the English ban on pair trawling applies.
	
		
			  Year/month  UK (pairs)  Total within ICES area VIIe 
			 2005   
			 February 2 2 
			 April 3 1 
			 December 6 0 
			
			 2006   
			 April 1 1 
			 July 1 1 
			 August 1 0 
			 November 1 0 
			
			 2007   
			 February 1 1 
			 April 1 1

Fisheries

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what discussions he has had with his  (a) Scottish,  (b) Welsh and  (c) Northern Ireland counterparts on UK fisheries since May 2007; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: I met with my Scottish counterpart, Richard Lochhead, on 6 June in advance of the11-12 June Agriculture and Fisheries Council. He also accompanied me to the Council itself and we had regular discussions as the negotiations developed.
	I have not met my counterparts from Wales and Northern Ireland on fisheries matters since May 2007. My officials are however in regular contact with their counterparts from the devolved administrations on fisheries matters to ensure a coherent UK line.

Fisheries

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether the timetable outlined in Annex III of the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament on a Community Action Plan to reduce discards of fish (COM(2002)656 final), dated26 November 2002 has been met; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: There hasn't been the detailed analysis at Community level of the various options identified in the report that was anticipated. However, the more recent Commission Communication takes the discussion forward, to reflect those developments which have occurred in the interim, like increased data on the scale of the problem (and its geographical and fisheries distribution) and the application of technical measures to improve selectivity.

Fuels: Carbon Emissions

Andrew Robathan: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what information his Department holds on the relative carbon emission profiles of  (a) kerosene,  (b) wood,  (c) coal,  (d) electricity,  (e) natural gas and  (f) liquefied petroleum gas when used as domestic fuels.

Ian Pearson: The following table shows CO2 emissions per unit of energy consumed, and total emissions, from fuels in the domestic sector.
	The second column refers to emissions per unit energy consumed, in kilograms of carbon dioxide per gigajoule (GJ), and the third column contains total UK emissions from the use of the corresponding fuel in the domestic sector, in million tonnes of carbon dioxide. The data include emissions associated with the fuel production, for example at power stations, refineries, and in the transportation of wood fuel.
	The data in the table refer to the geographical coverage of the United Kingdom.
	
		
			  CO 2  emissions from the domestic sector in 2005 
			  Fuel  Emissions per unit of energy consumed (kgCO 2 /GJ) including emissions associated with production  Total emissions including emissions associated with production (MtCO 2 ) 
			 Burning oil(1) 75.40 8.16 
			 Wood(2) 6.94 0.06 
			 Coal 82.59 0.76 
			 Anthracite 89.18 0.953 
			 Electricity 146.27 61.30 
			 Natural gas 52.26 71.84 
			 LPG 66.72 0.98 
			 (1) The UK GHG inventory reports the use of domestic kerosene under burning oil, following the classification used by the DTI. (2) Wood figures include the effect of absorption of CO2 during the lifetime of the tree.

Genetically Modified Organisms

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what arrangements are in place to ensure that contamination of non-genetically modified (GM) potato crops  (a) via GM volunteers and  (b) otherwise (i) is minimised and (ii) is detected if it occurs.

Ian Pearson: holding answer 14 June 2007
	It is assumed that this question relates to the statutory consents granted to BASF to conduct trials of GM disease-resistant potatoes. The consents specify a number of detailed conditions to ensure that a GM presence does not arise in conventional potato crops. These include appropriate requirements on managing volunteers, crop separation, monitoring and reporting. Compliance with the consent conditions will be checked by the DEFRA GM Inspectorate.

Radioactive Wastes: Waste Management

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what stepsthe Government intends to take to ensure the independence of the successor body to the Committee of Radioactive Waste Management.

Ian Pearson: The reconstituted Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) will be appointed as an advisory non-departmental public body, according to the Code of Practice of the Commissioner of Public Appointments, as was the original CoRWM Committee. It will therefore be independent of Government or any other interest.

Radioactive Wastes: Waste Management

Tom Watson: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what meetings he has held with the  (a) Environment Agency,  (b) the Nuclear Installations Inspectorate and  (c) Office of Civil Nuclear Security on the new arrangements for the setting of packaging standards for radioactive waste; and if he will place in the Library copies of the minutes of such meetings.

Ian Pearson: No such meetings were held by the Secretary of State. However, as stated in his announcement of 25 October, the independent environment and nuclear safety regulators believethat this proposal to nominate the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) as the geological disposal facility implementing body provides a framework that they can regulate in a strong and effective manner. They are content that the NDA will be responsible for implementing the geological disposal programme, within the constitutional arrangements described. The regulators' support is of major importance, as strong independent regulation is key both to ensuring the safety of people and the environment and to securing confidence and trust in the delivery arrangements.

Recycling: Odour Pollution

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what level of odours from green waste recycling centres his Department classifies as acceptable; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The European waste framework directive (2006/12/EC) requires member states to ensure that waste is recovered or disposed of without endangering human health and without using process or methods which could harm the environment. This includes without causing a nuisance through odours.
	The level of odour emission acceptable from green waste recycling centres depends on a number of factors, including the nature of the activity andthe regulatory regime within which it operates andthe proximity of those that may be affected. Where the activity is subject to a waste management licence, the prevention of odour may be imposed by way of conditions to that licence. This requirement may be monitored qualitatively or quantitatively by the operator and assessed by regulators on a case-by-case basis.
	In addition, section 79 of the Environmental Protection Act 1990 places a duty on local authorities to inspect their areas periodically to detect any statutory nuisances that may exist or are likely to occur or recur. There is also a duty to take reasonably practicable steps to investigate complaints of statutory nuisance. Odour may be considered as a statutory nuisance if it is considered to be
	"any dust, steam, smell or other effluvia arising on industrial, trade or business premises and being prejudicial to health or a nuisance".
	Operations regulated through the waste management licensing system may still be subject to action against statutory nuisance.

Recycling: Odour Pollution

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what representations have been received by  (a) his Department and  (b) the Environment Agency on concerns about odour from the Green Waste Recycling Centre in Haynes West End, Bedfordshire; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: I am not aware of any representations received by my Department on odour problems from this site. However, I understand that the Environment Agency (EA) has received in excess of 250 odour complaints about the site since December 2005.
	The site operates under a waste management licence and is regularly inspected for compliance with the licence conditions by the EA. Sites operating under a waste management licence have an overarching requirement to recover or dispose of waste without causing harm to human health or pollution of the environment. This includes without causing a nuisance through noise or odour.
	The EA have assessed all reported complaints, often in collaboration with the local authority environmental health officer, but only a few have been substantiated as being caused by failures on site. Where this is the case, action has been taken to bring about improvements to the company's working procedures.

Territorial Waters: Contamination

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what measures he has taken to reduce discards in UK territorial waters in each year since 1997.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government have for a number of years, been actively encouraging the widespread application of more selective gears by the UK fleet, developed with the assistance of departmental funding. In this period, we have also worked with the European Commission (and other member states) to introduce a range of enhanced technical measures at Community level, designed to make EU fisheries more sustainable for the longer-term. These have included increases in mesh size, the adoption of sorting grids and the application of square mesh panels in particular fisheries.

Waste Management

Martin Horwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what incentives his Department has given local authorities to reduce their waste arisings; and what penalties they will face if they fail to do so;
	(2)  what measures his Department  (a) has introduced and  (b) plans to introduce to reduce waste arisings.

Ben Bradshaw: holding answer 14 June 2007
	Action to reduce the amount of waste produced in the first instance is driven by regional and local strategies and supported by nationally funded programmes.
	The amount of waste collected from households per head is measured under local authority (LA) best value performance indicator (BVPI) 84a. BVPIs have statutory performance targets and are monitored by the Audit Commission. As a standardised suite of performance indicators, BVPIs help central Government and the public to monitor, analyse and compare the achievements of LAs.
	In addition, the Government are providing funding and support to LAs to help them promote and develop more sustainable waste management practices such as recycling, reuse and waste minimisation.
	The Waste Minimisation Programme, run bythe DEFRA-funded Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), is working to stem the growth of household waste. This is part of a package of measures to enable the UK to meet the requirements of the Landfill Directive and move towards sustainable waste management.
	As part of its Waste Minimisation Programme, WRAP is working with 13 major retailers to reduce the amount of waste from supermarkets. This includes looking at ways to redesign packaging, as well as providing support for research and development into waste minimisation. It is also working with LAs to establish greater participation in recycling and home composting. This is achieved by WRAP through a variety of means, for example through LA advice and training; food waste collection trials with selected authorities; funding support for campaigns to boost recycling participation in local areas; and a targeted National Home Composting Programme.
	LAs have also received £45 million in 2005-06,£105 million in 2006-07 and £110 million in 2007-08 under the Waste Performance and Efficiency Grant to help them develop new and more efficient ways to deliver waste reduction and increase recycling.
	The recently published Waste Strategy 2007 puts forward a range of measures to further reduce waste arisings and build on recent improvements in recycling. A greater focus on waste prevention has been recognised through a new target to reduce the amount of household waste not reused, recycled or composted, from over 22.2 million tonnes in 2000 by 29 per cent. to 15.8 million tonnes in 2010, with an aspiration to reduce it to 12.2 million tonnes in 2020—a reduction of 45 per cent. This is equivalent to a fall of 50 per cent. per person (from 450 kilograms per person in 2000 to 225 kilograms in 2020). The strategy also sets higher national targets for household waste recycling and composting to reach at least 40 per cent. by 2010,45 per cent. by 2015 and 50 per cent. by 2020.
	There are no specific penalties to encourage LAs to reduce their collected waste volumes. The Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme (LATS) places limits on the amount of biodegradable municipal waste that authorities can landfill. LAs that exceed limits are liable to a penalty of £150 per tonne. Minimising municipal waste arisings helps LAs meet their LATS obligations and so avoid incurring penalties.

Waste Management: Bedfordshire

Nadine Dorries: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 
	(1)  what measures have been put in place to ensure that green waste in Bedfordshire is  (a) processed and  (b) recycled to required standards; and if he will make a statement;
	(2)  what measures the Government are putting in place to ensure material deposited at green waste recycling centres is recycled to acceptable standards; and if he will make a statement;
	(3)  what measures the Government have put in place to ensure green waste recycling centres meet the terms of their licences; and if he will make a statement.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government strongly supports the composting of organic waste. This is an important component of meeting targets for recycling and composting, as well as those under the landfill directive to reduce the landfilling of biodegradable municipal waste.
	Composting of green waste is classified as awaste recovery operation under the waste framework directive and is carried out under a waste management license issued by the Environment Agency (EA) or a registered exemption from the need for a license. The EA is the competent authority responsible for carrying out regular inspections on such sites, including those in Bedfordshire, to assess compliance with the license conditions.
	Sites operating under a waste management licence must recover or dispose of waste without causing harm to human health or pollution of the environment. This includes causing a nuisance through noise or odour.
	The EU Animal By-Products Regulation also applies to the composting of some materials. The regulation permits low-risk animal by-products ('Category 3' material) to be composted or treated in an approved composting or biogas plant and treated to an EU standard. Alternative treatment standards are due to be introduced later this year. However, these must demonstrate the capability to meet a specified level of pathogen reduction.
	In addition, the DEFRA funded Business Resource Efficiency and Waste programme (BREW), the Waste and Resources Action programme (WRAP) and the EA have developed a quality protocol for compost in consultation with industry and other interested parties. The protocol sets criteria for, and allows, the full recovery, production and use of quality compost from waste organic materials without the need for further regulation beyond the point of production.

Water: Contamination

Bill Wiggin: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs whether he has any targets to reduce discards in UK waters.

Ben Bradshaw: The Government are extremely concerned about the level of discarding generally and is clear that significant steps must be taken to reduce it.
	However, this is a problem which requires EU-wide action and we will therefore be working with the Commission (and other member states) to ensuretheir latest initiative is fully effective in delivering appropriate solutions throughout the community.

Iraq: Peace Keeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of the likely effect of the security walls being constructed in Baghdad on the security situation in Baghdad; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: The security walls are being constructed by the Multinational Force (Iraq), under US command. We understand that they are a temporary measure to create secure neighbourhoods as part of a much wider range of measures being takenas part of the Iraqi-led Baghdad security plan. This plan, and the increase in US troop numbers in and around Baghdad, are designed to improve the security situation in Iraq.
	It is too early to judge the success of the plan, not least because not all the additional US military units are in place. However, early indications show some signs for encouragement. Whilst the incidence of high profile suicide attacks remains of deep concern, other forms of sectarian violence are below pre-plan levels and the Iraqi security forces have so far performed well. Ultimately, efforts to improve security in Baghdadare designed to create the conditions in which Iraqis themselves can make progress on reconciliationand power-sharing, and we continue to provide encouragement and practical support to this process.

Middle East: Armed Conflict

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the annual budget of the Middle East and North Africa strategy of the UK Global Conflict Prevention Pool is, broken down by expenditure on each country involved.

Margaret Beckett: The budget for the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) for financial year (FY) 2007-08 is£3 million. The following table details expenditure on each country in the proposed allocations for MENA GCPP.
	
		
			  Financial year 2007-08 
			   Amount (£) 
			 Budget 3 million 
			   
			 Israel and the occupied Palestinian territories 1,400,000 
			 Lebanon 1,085,000 
			 Libya 265,000 
			 Jordan 50,000 
			 Yemen 200,000 
			 Total allocation 3,000,000

Middle East: Peace Negotiations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what the role of the Government's Global Conflict Prevention Pool is in relation to the Middle East Peace Process; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: Global Conflict Prevention Pool (GCPP) mechanisms and resources are used to support UK policy towards the Middle East Peace Process. GCPP funds projects in the region that aim to address drivers of conflict in order to enhance the prospect of a sustainable two-state solution. Examples include:
	a project which has helped move the route of the separation barrier closer to the green line;
	a project which aims to raise awareness of planning problems in Palestinian villages in Israeli controlled areas of the West Bank and take action to tackle this problem;
	a project identifying systematic failures in due process in the Israeli military courts and attempting to correct them through legal and public advocacy;
	work to facilitate freedom of movement for Palestiniansin the Occupied Palestinian Territories through legal and administrative action and promoting access to the Israeli judicial system; and
	providing assistance to close protection for Palestinian President Abbas.

Somalia: Peace Keeping Operations

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what recent assessment she has made of  (a) the numbers of African Union troops deployed in Somalia and  (b) the impact of that deployment on the security situation in the country.

Margaret Beckett: The African Union (AU) mission to Somalia (AMISOM) currently has about 1,700 Ugandan troops deployed to Somalia. The UK is working closely with international partners to seek to increase the number of AMISOM troops from other AU countries.
	AMISOM was authorised by UN Security Council Resolution 1744, which was sponsored by the UK and adopted unanimously on 20 February. The troops currently deployed are playing an important part in ensuring stability in the parts of Mogadishu and Baidoa in which they are operating. We judge that AMISOM has a crucial role to play in creatingthe security conditions that would enable a fuller withdrawal of Ethiopian troops from Somalia.

Syria: UN Resolutions

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs what assessment she has made of Syrian compliance with UN Security Council Resolution 1701; and if she will make a statement.

Margaret Beckett: In March, the UN Secretary-General reported that there was mounting evidence that Hezbollah was rearming and smuggling arms across the Syria/Lebanon border in breach of UN Security Council resolution (UNSCR) 1701. I will arrange for a copy of his report to be placed in the Library of the House, it as also available on the UN website at http://www.un.org/Docs/sc/sgrep07.htm While the UN Secretary-General's report did not specifically identify the supplier of these arms, we continue to judge that Syria is involved in providing Hezbollah with weapons as well as facilitating the transfer of weapons from Iran in breach of UNSCR 1701. This is a serious concern.
	The UK continues to work to ensure the full implementation of UNSCR 1701. We are workingto improve Lebanese border-monitoring capability through a bilateral programme of assistance, support to a German-led initiative and work through the UN.

Zimbabwe: Human Rights

William Hague: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs pursuant to the answer of 19 March 2007,  Official Report, column 600W, on Zimbabwe: human rights, what steps have been taken by the EU to engage with southern African Governments on the situation in Zimbabwe; and what the outcome has been of these steps.

Margaret Beckett: The situation in Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate with economic, political and social indicators worsening by the week. On behalf of the EU the presidency, through its Ambassadorsor local representatives, has engaged directly with governments in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region to express the EU's concern at human rights abuses within Zimbabwe, which many African Governments share. The EU troika held a formal dialogue with South Africa on14 May at which Ministers discussed Zimbabwe. Both sides agreed that meaningful internal dialogue in Zimbabwe is crucial to the resolution of the crisis. The EU troika met with the African Union (AU) delegation at ministerial level on 15 May. The AU noted its continuing support for the SADC initiative and President Mbeki's role. The EU awaits the outcome of this initiative with interest and will return to the situation in Zimbabwe at the UN Human Rights Council in September, following the EU statement in March condemning state-sponsored violence. The UK will continue to ensure that opportunities available at EU level are taken to raise the deteriorating situation in Zimbabwe and to highlight the EU's condemnation of ongoing political violence and human rights abuses.

CJD

Jennifer Willott: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps have been taken to inform thosewho received blood known to be at risk of variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) contamination that they could be at risk of contracting vCJD; and if she will make a statement.

Caroline Flint: The Creutzfeld-Jakob Disease (CJD) incidents panel advises on the assessment and management of risk to patients who may potentially have been exposed to CJD following medical interventions. In December 2003, following the first suspected case of variant Creutzfeld-Jakob Diseases (vCJD) transmission through whole blood transfusion, the first patient notification exercise was undertaken to notify recipients of blood components donated by people who later developed vCJD. There are currently around 24 people in this group who are still alive.
	Since then, three other notification exercises have been implemented in respect of recipients of certain plasma products. There are approximately 5,000 people in this group, which includes patients with haemophilia A and B and Von Willebrand's Disease to whom it was indicated that they had received United Kingdom sourced plasma derived vCJD implicated products during the period 1980-2001, and would therefore be considered at risk of vCJD for public health purposes. Additionally notification has been given to about 100 blood donors to patients who later developed vCJD.
	All the information documents used for these notification exercises are available on the Health Protection Agency website at:
	www.hpa.org.uk/infections/topics_az/cjd/information_documents.htm.

Departments: Contracts

Stephen O'Brien: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the definition is of  (a) service category No. 25 at section II.2 of the contract notice2006/S 114-121806 and  (b) service category No. 27 at section II.2 of the contract notice 2006/S 135-145353.

Andy Burnham: Service categories are listed within Directive 2004/18/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council. Service Category No. 25 is defined as health and social services. Service Category No. 27 is defined as other services.

Muscular Dystrophy: Health Services

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group about commissioning services for muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions.

Ivan Lewis: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Health has received no advice in the last12 months from the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group about muscular dystrophy and neuromuscular conditions.

NHS: Procurement

David Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what discussions she has had with patient representatives on changes to the portfolio of the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group in the last 12 months; and if she will make a statement.

Andy Burnham: The Secretary of State has had no discussions with patient representatives about changes to the portfolio of the National Specialist Commissioning Advisory Group (now known as the National Commissioning Group (NCG)) in the last 12 months.
	Due to the very specialised nature of the services in the NCG's portfolio, clinical advisers to the NCG ensure that discussions take place with the patient representative groups specific to individual services. (Examples of the relationships between individual patient representative groups and the NCG are set out in its annual report.)
	"The Review of Commissioning Arrangementsfor Specialised Services" published in May 2006, recommended the strengthening of patient involvement in the NCG decision-making process. To help achieve this, the Appointments Commission are currently running an open competition to appoint lay members to the group.

Departments: Public Expenditure

Mark Francois: To ask the Secretary of State forthe Home Department pursuant to the answer of27 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 1441-2W, on Departments: public expenditure, for which losses his Department was granted Treasury approval in each of the last five years for which figures are available.

Liam Byrne: All losses incurred by the Home Office during the last five years have been managed by the Department within the scope of authorities delegated by the Treasury, the thresholds for which were set out in the reply provided to the hon. Member on 27 March 2007.
	The overall level of losses incurred by the Home Office in any one year is reported in its resource accounts.

Human Trafficking

Anthony Steen: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department pursuant to the answer of 5 March 2007,  Official Report, columns 1751-2W, on human trafficking, how many of those charged under each section in each year were convicted; and how manyin each category were sentenced to a term of imprisonment.

Vernon Coaker: holding answer 19 March 2007
	 Data on the number of defendants convicted, sentenced, and given immediate custody at all courts' under S57, S58, S59 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003; and S25 (1)(a), S25(1)(b), S25(1)(c), S25, S25A, S25B of the Immigration Act 1971, in England and Wales in 2005, from the court proceedings database held by the Office for Criminal Justice Reform can be found in the following table. The 2006 Court proceedings data will be available in the autumn of 2007.
	
		
			  The number of defendants convicted, sentenced, and given immediate custody at all courts' under 557, S58, S58 of the Sexual Offences Act 2003; and S25(1)(a), S25(1)(b), S25(1)(c), S25, S25A, S25B of the Immigration Act 1971, in England and Wales in 2005( 1,2,3) 
			 Of those Sentenced 
			  Statute  Offence description  Found guilty  Sentenced  Immediate custody 
			 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.57 Arrange/facilitate arrival into the UK of a person for sexual exploitation (Trafficking) 9 9 9 
			 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.58 Arrange/facilitate travel within the UK of a person for sexual exploitation (Trafficking) 3 3 3 
			 Sexual Offences Act 2003 S.59 Arrange/facilitate departure from the UK of a person for sexual exploitation (Trafficking) 0 0 0 
			 Immigration Act 1971 Sec 25(1) (a). Knowingly concerned in making or carrying out arrangements for securing or facilitating the entry into the UK of anyone whom he knows or has reasonable cause for believing to be an illegal entrant. 84 103 94 
			 Immigration Act 1971 Sec 25(1 )(b) as added by Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 S.5. Knowingly concerned in making or carrying out arrangements for securing or facilitating the entry into the UK of anyone whom he knows or has reasonable cause for believing to be an asylum claimant. 3 4 3 
			 Immigration Act 1971 Sec 25(1 )(c) as added by Asylum and Immigration Act 1996 S.5. Knowingly concerned in making or carrying out arrangements for securing or facilitating the obtaining of leave to remain in the UK by means which he knows or has reasonable cause for believing to include deception. 0 1 1 
			 Immigration Act 1971 S25 as added by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 S143 Assisting unlawful immigration to member state (was 194/11 and 12) 55 45 39 
			 Immigration Act 1971 S25A as added by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 S143 Helping asylum-seeker to enter the UK 7 6 6 
			 Immigration Act 1971 S25B as added by Nationality, Immigration and Asylum Act 2002 S143 Assisting entry to UK in breach of deportation order or exclusion order 2 11 11 
			 Total  163 182 166 
			 (1) These data are on the principal offence basis. (2 )Every effort is made to ensure that the figures presented are accurate and complete. However, it is important to note that these data have been extracted from large administrative data systems generated by the courts and police forces. As a consequence, care should be taken to ensure data collection processes and their inevitable limitations are taken into account when those data are used. (3 )The sentenced column may exceed those found guilty, as it may be the case that a defendant found guilty and committed for sentence at the crown court may be sentenced in the following year.  Source:  RDS Office for Criminal Justice Reform  Our ref: IOS 237-07

Serious and Organised Crime Agency: Finance

Nigel Waterson: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the total expenditure on setting up and running the Serious and Organised Crime Agency has been since its creation, broken down by region.

Vernon Coaker: The information is as follows:
	 Running costs:
	An analysis of SOCA expenditure by region is not available. Final costs will be reported through the audited financial accounts and laid before Parliament later in the year.
	 Set- up costs:
	(a) Set-up costs 2005-06
	These were reported in the 2005-06 accounts of the Home Office, the National Crime Squad (NCS) and the National Criminal Intelligence Service (NCIS), each of which incurred expenditure to support the set-up of SOCA. In total, £8.9 million net additional resource expenditure plus capital expenditure of£7.73 million was incurred. Additionally, in 2005-06, NCS and NCIS also reported a total of £10.65 million of their core budget expenditure as being related to SOCA preparations. This included the value of NCS/NCIS staff time spent on the implementation and planning for the new Agency.
	(b) Transitional Costs 2006-07
	Transition costs in 2006-07 of £33.5 million; including a one-off cost of approximately £8 million, were incurred.

Theft: Mobile Phones

David Amess: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what steps he  (a) has taken and  (b) plans to take to reduce the theft of mobile telephones; and if he will make a statement.

Vernon Coaker: Mobile phone theft is a key driver for robbery. The Government, police and industry have developed a strong partnership working together to tackle mobile phone theft. The Mobile Phone Crime Reduction Charter was launched by industry leaders in July 2006 and successfully achieved its target of blocking over 80 per cent. of stolen handsets within48 hours. The Government and Metropolitan police fund a National Mobile Phone Crime Unit to provide a national centre of excellence and operational support around the country. We have robust legislation in place to target criminals who re-programme stolen handsets. The Government are continuing to engage industry on the issue of better crime proofing handsets as they become increasingly multi-functional in the future.

Afghanistan: International Assistance

John MacDougall: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development if he will make a statement on the humanitarian situation in Afghanistan.

Hilary Benn: The humanitarian situation in Afghanistan is regularly assessed by the Afghan Government and the UN. DFID is in close touch with the Government of Afghanistan (GoA) and the UN on these issues, which include the situation of refugees and returnees, those affected by severe weather conditions and those affected by mines.
	Since 2001 over 4.8 million refugees have returned to Afghanistan. During a six week grace period from March-May 2007, 200,000 refugees returned to Afghanistan from Pakistan with assistance from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Statistics indicate that Kabul, Nangahar and Kunduz are absorbing the largest number of returnees at 51 per cent. UNHCR state they are coping well with the influx of returnees and are facilitating safe returns, which includes addressing any problems returnees may face on their journey back to Afghanistan, and providing any support once they have arrived at their final destination.
	We have received a number of reports from diplomatic and other sources on the expulsion of illegal Afghan migrants from Iran. We are in close contact with the Government of Afghanistan and the office of the UNHCR on this issue. The UN WFP has despatched food to Zaranj, the main entry point into Afghanistan for families being deported from Iran.
	Severe weather conditions like the recent rains and snow melt in Helmand caused considerable flooding. The Provincial Government response was supportedby the UN, which has provided assistance to 735 households (5,145 people). The UK-led Provincial Reconstruction Team (PRT) supported a request to air-lift a pump to the dam. No further request for PRT assistance has been made to date.
	17 per cent. of the Afghan population are living in one of 2,374 mine-contaminated communities. DFID has provided up to £1.4 million this year as part of HALO's three year global mine action programme for 2007-10.

Burma: Overseas Aid

John Bercow: To ask the Secretary of Statefor International Development what grants his Department provided for environmental projects in Burma in each of the last five years; and what the value of each grant was.

Gareth Thomas: DFID is providing £4 million overfour years to the United Nations Development Programme's Human Development Initiative in Burma. The project aims (i) to strengthen the capacity of poor communities to address their basic needs; and (ii) to provide continued and constructive engagement with selected remote rural communities in the areas of social development and sustainable livelihoods. One of the intended project outcomes is an increased local capacity for sustainable environmental management, achieved through improved community skills for good environmental management; better planning by communities of the use of their local natural resources; and the introduction of energy-efficient technologies and community forestry initiatives to reduce the demand for wood for fuel.
	DFID has also provided a grant of £580,000 over three years to the non-governmental organisation Forest Trends, to assess the impacts of the Chinese timber market throughout SE Asia, including in Burma. Copies of their reports are available at:
	www.forest-trends.org
	The British Embassy in Rangoon has recently provided a grant of £32,000 from the Grassroots Development Programme (GDP) fund to support seven environmental projects in Burma. The main objectives of the projects are to enhance village livelihoods through an improved management of agriculture, natural resource and agro forestry.

Developing Countries: AIDS

David Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for International Development what representations he has received on the target of access to AIDS treatment for all in the developing world by 2010.

Gareth Thomas: My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for International Development received letters on universal access by 2010 from a number of campaign groups. Members of Parliament, and members of the public in the run up to the G8 summit in Heiligendamm. The G8 reaffirmed their commitment to the goal of universal access to comprehensive HIV/AIDS prevention programmes, treatment, care and support by 2010, and pledged to contribute$60 billion towards fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and TB over the coming years.

Medicine: Education

Nigel Dodds: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what the ratio of specialty training to fixed term specialty training appointments is in each specialty in England.

Rosie Winterton: I have been asked to reply.
	The information requested is shown in the following table.
	
		
			  Percentage split of posts by post type 
			Post types (percentage) 
			  Specialty  Theme  Specialty training  Fixed-term specialist training appointment (FTSTA)  Academic 
			 Acute care common stem (ACCS) Acute medicine 83 17 0 
			  Anaesthesia 80 20 0 
			  Emergency medicine 70 29 1 
			  Intensive care medicine 0 100 0 
			 Acute medicine  100 0 0 
			 Allergy  100 0 0 
			 Anaesthesia  71 28 0 
			 Audiological medicine  67 0 33 
			 Cardiology  98 0 2 
			 Cardiothoracic surgery  83 0 17 
			 Chemical pathology  100 0 0 
			 Child and adolescent psychiatry  100 0 0 
			 Clinical genetics  80 0 20 
			 Clinical neurophysiology  88 0 13 
			 Clinical oncology  L97 0 3 
			 Clinical pharmacology and therapeutics  75 0 25 
			 Clinical radiology  96 0 4 
			 Core medical training  65 34 1 
			 Dermatology  100 0 0 
			 Emergency medicine  94 6 0 
			 Endocrinology and diabetes  97 0 3 
			 Forensic psychiatry  96 0 4 
			 Gastroenterology  100 0 0 
			 General adult psychiatry  99 0 1 
			 General practice  100 0 0 
			 General surgery  99 0 1 
			 Genito-urinary medicine  100 0 0 
			 Geriatric medicine  97 0 3 
			 Haematology  95 0 5 
			 Histopathology  100 0 0 
			 Immunology  80 0 20 
			 Infectious diseases  100 0 0 
			 Infectious diseases and medical microbiology and virology (MMV) Medical microbiology 100 0 0 
			 Infectious diseases and MMV Virology 50 0 50 
			 Medical microbiology and virology  87 13 0 
			 Medical microbiology and virology  100 0 0 
			 Medical oncology  75 0 25 
			 Medical ophthalmology  100 0 0 
			 Neurology  90 0 10 
			 Neurosurgery  60 39 1 
			 Nuclear medicine  100 0 0 
			 Obstetrics and gynaecology  85 14 1 
			 Occupational medicine  100 0 0 
			 Old age psychiatry  100 0 0 
			 Ophthalmology  59 40 0 
			 Oral and maxillofacial surgery (OMFS)  78 22 0 
			 Otolaryngology (ENT)  98 0 2 
			 Paediatric cardiology  100 0 0 
			 Paediatric surgery  100 0 0 
			 Paediatrics  72 28 1 
			 Palliative medicine  100 0 0 
			 Plastic surgery  98 0 2 
			 Psychiatry  67 32 1 
			 Psychiatry of learning disability  100 0 0 
			 Psychotherapy  100 0 0 
			 Public health  90 0 10 
			 Rehabilitation medicine  96 0 4 
			 Renal medicine  93 0 7 
			 Respiratory Medicine  100 0 0 
			 Rheumatology  96 0 4 
			 Sports and exercise medicine  100 0 0 
			 Surgery in general Cardiothoracic Surgery 3 97 0 
			 Surgery in general General surgery 33 66 1 
			 Surgery in general Generic 56 42 2 
			 Surgery in general Otolaryngology (ENT) 36 62 2 
			 Surgery in general Paediatric surgery 45 55 0 
			 Surgery in general Plastic surgery 38 61 1 
			 Surgery in general Trauma and orthopaedic surgery 41 59 0 
			 Surgery in general Urology 41 57 3 
			 Trauma and orthopaedic surgery  98 0 2 
			 Urology  96 0 4 
			   14,600 4,400 200 
			 Grand total  (76) (23) (1)

Companies: Allergies

Jo Swinson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry 
	(1)  how much his Department spent on providing information to companies on compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to allergies in each of the last five years;
	(2)  what information his Department providesto companies on compliance with the Disability Discrimination Act 1995 in relation to allergies.

Jim Fitzpatrick: holding answer s 4 June 2007
	General guidance on employers' responsibilities under the Disability Discrimination Act is available on the employing people pages on businesslink.gov and onthe Department for Work and Pensions site as the Department responsible for the Act. The DTI has not spent any further money on providing informationto companies on allergies and the Disability Discrimination Act in the five year period.

Company Liquidations: North West Region

Ben Wallace: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many company liquidations took place in the North West in each year since 1997.

Jim Fitzpatrick: The following table records the numbers of compulsory liquidations in the "North West" region classified according to Official Receiver's (OR) Offices from 1999-2000 to 2006-07. Figures have been provided by financial year due to the movement of individual OR offices between broader regions coinciding with financial years. Prior to 1999-2000 the "North West" region did not exist separately and the Northern region (as it was then included OR offices in the "North East". For this reason comparable figures for the earlier years are not readily available.
	Number of Compulsory Liquidations in the North West for each financial year from 1999-2000:
	
		
			  Financial year  Compulsory liquidations 
			 1999-2000 672 
			 2000-01 620 
			 2001-02 651 
			 2002-03 927 
			 2003-04 629 
			 2004-05(1) 522 
			 2005-06(1) 721 
			 2006-07(2) 707 
			 (1) In 2004-05 and 2005-06 Stoke-on-Trent moved to the Midlands region and is not included in the above figures for those years.In 2004-05 there were 62 compulsory liquidations under the Stoke-on-Trent Office, in 2005-06 there were 95. (2) In 2006-07 Stoke-on-Trent moved back to the North West region.  Note: Official Receiver's offices in the North West region include Blackpool, Chester, Liverpool, Manchester and Stoke-on-Trent.

Insolvency

Laurence Robertson: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many extensions to the three-year period referred to in section 238A(2) of the Insolvency Act 1986 insolvency agencies have applied for in order to pursue people under section 238A(6) of that Act.

Jim Fitzpatrick: As the hon. Member is no doubt aware there is no section 238A in the Insolvency Act 1986 and I assume that the question relates to section 283A of that Act.
	In cases where the Official Receiver is trustee in bankruptcy there are two cases where such extensions have been sought. Both are yet to be determined by the court. I am also aware of another case where there is an application for either a charging order or an extension of the three-year period. That case is also yet to be determined.
	There may however be cases where a licensed insolvency practitioner is the trustee in bankruptcy and a similar application has been made. The Insolvency Service would not automatically be notified in such cases. HM Courts Service records do not show this information.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how much was spent on administering the Low Carbon Buildings Programme in the 2006-07 financial year.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 12 June 2007
	For the 2006-07 financial year, the total administration costs for the Low Carbon Buildings ProgrammePhase 1 was £509,044.54. This included set up costs for Phase 1, which started in April 06. Phase 2 started in December 2006 and the total administration costs for 2006-07 financial year was £130,625, including set up costs.
	These costs do not include work undertaken by civil servants in supporting delivery of the programme.

Low Carbon Buildings Programme

Gregory Barker: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Trade and Industry how much was spent on the recent restructuring of the Low Carbon Buildings Programme.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer 12 June 2007
	 The overall costs are forecast to be in the region of £90,000.

Nuclear Power Stations

Tim Loughton: To ask the Secretary of Statefor Trade and Industry 
	(1)  what consideration his Department makes of population density when considering potential locations for new power stations;
	(2)  whether his Department has identified any sites for potential new nuclear power stations to be built in Sussex;
	(3)  what criteria his Department uses to determine the location of new nuclear power stations.

Malcolm Wicks: holding answer s 14 June 2007
	DTI has not identified any locations for new nuclear power stations. Any new nuclear power stations would be built by the private sector but no decisions would be taken on any potential location for a new nuclear power station pending the carrying out of a full strategic siting assessment (SSA).
	DTI is consulting on a proposed process for carrying out an SSA. If the Government confirms its preliminary view that it is in the public interest to allow energy companies the option of investing in new nuclear power stations, DTI would consult separately on the siting criteria that would underpin such an assessment. Such criteria would include demographic considerations, including with regard to population density and distribution. In addition to the SSA, any proposed new nuclear sites would need to comply with the rigorous site-specific safety and environmental requirements of the independent regulators.

Post Offices: Somerset

David Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he plans to publish his proposals on post office closures in Somerset; and if he will make a statement.

Jim Fitzpatrick: On 17 May my right hon. Friendthe Secretary of State announced the Government's response to public consultation on the Post Office network.
	Now that the Government have announced their decisions it will be for Post Office Ltd. to strategically develop the network through 50 to 60 local area implementation plans over the next 18 months.
	Following initial input from sub-postmasters, Postwatch and local authorities, these plans will include closure proposals which will then be put to local consultation ahead of final decisions.

Turbines: Health Hazards

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry pursuant to the answer of 14 May 2007,  Official Report, column 1003W, on turbines: health hazards, what qualifications Hayes McKenzie possessed in relation to infrasound emitted by wind turbines; and what role medical experts played in the production of the report.

Malcolm Wicks: The Hayes McKenzie report for DTI "The measurement of Low Frequency Noise at three UK wind farms" investigated the levels of low frequency noise and infrasound emitted by wind turbines, it was not within the remit of the study to undertake new medical analysis.
	However the study did refer to the document prepared for the World Health Organization "Community Noise" which states that
	"there is no reliable evidence that infrasounds below the hearing threshold produce physiological or psychological effects".
	It also referenced work undertaken for DEFRA on low frequency noise and its effects.
	Dr. Andrew McKenzie and Malcolm Hayes are acoustic experts with between them over 45 years experience. They have conducted work in relation to wind turbines at over 400 proposed, consented or completed sites in the UK and overseas.

Turbines: Health Hazards

Geoffrey Cox: To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research his Department has carriedout on the numbers of individuals and households adversely affected by infrasound emitted by wind turbines.

Malcolm Wicks: DTI and DEFRA have recently commissioned a report by Salford university one of the objectives of which is
	"to establish the levels and nature of the noise complaints received across the UK relating to noise issues from wind farms, both historic and current, and determine whether Aerodynamic Modulation (AM) is a significant effect".
	This report will be published later this summer.

Railways: Portsmouth

Mike Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will ensure that passengers receive compensation following the conclusions of the Office of Rail Regulation Report on the Portsmouth re-signalling project by Network Rail; and if he will make a statement.

Tom Harris: Stagecoach South Western Trains are obligated to compensate passengers where disruption to services meets their compensation obligations under the National Rail Conditions of Carriage and in particular under their Passengers Charter.
	The Department has ensured that where necessary that Stagecoach South Western Trains have plans to meet its obligations to passengers.

Child Tax Credit

Karen Buck: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many parents of children aged 11 years and over were in receipt of the child care element of children's tax credit in each of the last three years.

Stephen Timms: The following table shows the number of in-work families, with a child aged 11 years or over, who were benefiting from the child care element of working tax credits at selected snapshot dates in the last three years.
	
		
			   Snapshot date 
			   April 2005  April 2006  April 2007 
			 Families with at least one child aged 11 or over 259,500 286,500 314,600 
			  Of which:
			 Families where all children were aged 11 or over 13,800 16,900 20,600 
		
	
	The bottom row of figures in the table shows families where all child care costs can be attributed to children aged 11 or over. For families with two or more children, it is not possible to say which child the family are claiming child care costs for. It is likely that most families with children under and over the age of 11 are claiming child care costs for younger siblings, as opposed to any child aged 11 or over.

Debts: Burma

Paul Holmes: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer when Burma last repaid debt owed to the UK Government; what recent steps the Government have taken to recover debt owed by Burma; and what legal options are available to the Government to recover debt owed by Burma.

Edward Balls: ECGD has unrecovered claims totalling £22.9 million in respect of seven contracts in the power, textile and water sectors on which claims were paid to UK banks/exporters between 1988 and 1998. There have been no recoveries since 1990.
	The UK also has two outstanding aid loans amounting to £1.06 million that are managed by the World Bank. These represent the UK's share of co-funded loans from the EU. The loans reverted to bilateral status in 2005. These loans are not currently being serviced by Burma.
	Given the economic and political situation in the country, HMG does not consider that legal action would be appropriate.

Pension Funds: Taxation

Philip Hammond: To ask the Chancellor ofthe Exchequer 
	(1)  what the actuarial valuation assumptions referred to in the Inland Revenue policy note of 21 May 1997 as very cautious were;
	(2)  what evidence the Inland Revenue's Savings and Investment Division collected to support its view expressed to him on 21 May 1997 that actuarial valuation assumptions tended to very cautious.

Edward Balls: The policy note of 21 May 1997 describes actuarial valuation assumptions as tending to be "very cautious", on the basis of advice from the Government Actuary's Department (GAD) that the dividend growth model used by actuaries implicitly assumes
	"a conservative real rate of return on equity. [This] tends to mean that actuarial value is somewhat less than the market value..."
	GAD's rationale is explained on pages 34 and 35 of the 27 June document released on 30 March.

Valuation Office Agency

Caroline Spelman: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what the project topic was of the Gateway Review undertaken for the Valuation Office Agency in October 2005.

Stephen Timms: This was a Gate 4 review ofthe Valuations Project, which formed part of the programme of projects in place to implement the council tax revaluation in England in 2007, which was postponed on 20 September 2005. The review was a pre-planned independent audit of the soundness of the work done up to that point, and the project was awarded 'Green status' to signal that the project was ready for implantation.

Departments: Renewable Energy

Lynne Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what his strategy is for renewable energy and meeting energy targets in departmental buildings; and if he will make a statement.

Peter Hain: The Wales Office, as an associated office of the Ministry of Justice is included under the Ministry of Justice strategy.
	The strategy employed focuses on procuring as much renewable electricity as is feasible.
	The strategy deployed to meet the Department's energy targets is a system of monitoring buildings of similar ages, sizes and functions. We investigate any anomalies in demand. We also invest in energy saving measures in addition, promoting best practice.